When prostate cancer is caught in the early stages, prostate removal might be the best solution. Known as a prostatectomy, side effects from this type of surgery can sometimes be quite difficult to live with, involving loss of erection ability and incontinence, although both can often be dealt with to varying degrees.

By far, the worst side effect is loss of erectile function. While sexual sensation and orgasm ability generally stays intact, ability to get an erection can often be affected, leading to a need for either Viagra, a vacuum pump, or both. If the prostate cancer is well contained enough, and if the surgeon is skillful enough, he can attempt what is called “nerve sparing” surgery, where he will try not to cut through nerves that are responsible for erections. This can be difficult and good results are not guaranteed, but it may be an option for some to at least try.

Another potentially bad prostatectomy side effect is the development of urinary incontinence. This would involve leakage, especially when coughing or sneezing, and possibly frequent trips to the bathroom at night. Obviously, this can seriously affect quality of life as it is some of the same symptoms that are caused by prostate cancer in the first place. Improvement in incontinence can occur over the course of many months and even years, but there is no guarantee that it will completely go away. There are a few possible treatments for this, such as physical therapy, bladder control practice, medications, and urethral inserts.

If the prostatectomy is done via the perineum (the “taint”), there is a risk of fecal incontinence. Fortunately, perneal prostatectomies are not done as frequently as regular open surgery on the abdomen, but when they are, fecal incontinence can obviously but one of the more serious problems. But, as above, there are several possibile treatments, such as Kegel exercises (strengthening the sphincter muscles), medication, and changes in diet to help thicken the waste.